Crisis Specialist

Transitions Mental Health Asso•San Luis Obispo, CA

7d•$44 - $48

About The Position

The Crisis Specialist provides compassionate, person-centered mobile crisis services to individuals of all ages experiencing mental health, substance use, or co-occurring behavioral health crises throughout San Luis Obispo County. Guided by Transitions Mental Health Association’s mission and philosophy, the role delivers trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, culturally responsive, and harm-reduction-focused services that promote hope, dignity, safety, and self-determination. Working collaboratively with individuals, families, Crisis Dispatch, community partners, first responders, healthcare providers, and the broader behavioral health system, the Crisis Specialist conducts crisis interventions and assessments, provides de-escalation and short-term stabilization, develops collaborative safety plans, evaluates the need for higher levels of care, connects people with ongoing supports, and provides required post-crisis follow-up. Specialists who are appropriately trained and designated may conduct evaluations for involuntary detention under applicable Welfare and Institutions Code sections 5150 and 5585. This is a full-time, non-exempt position working 40 hours per week in the Mobile Crisis Team in San Luis Obispo. The program operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and assigned schedules may include day, evening, overnight, weekend, and holiday shifts. Work is primarily community- and field-based, with frequent driving that may include transporting TMHA clients. The position involves moderate to substantial physical activity, including potentially moving or lifting up to 50 pounds, and moderate risks requiring safety precautions. The anticipated hiring range is $44.00–$45.00 per hour; the full salary schedule is $44.00–$48.00 per hour. Transitions Mental Health Association is a nonprofit organization providing mental health services and support to individuals and families. Its mission is to eliminate stigma and promote recovery and wellness for people with mental illness through work, housing, community, and family support services. The organization describes its workplace as supportive and inclusive, values diversity and individual contributions, practices trauma-informed care and collaborative communication, and encourages the use of pronouns.

Requirements

Meet qualifications for an eligible Medi-Cal Mobile Crisis provider type under DHCS BHIN 23-025 appropriate to the position’s scope. Qualifying pathways may include applicable California licensure, registration, waiver, certification, or other DHCS-recognized qualifications such as clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, professional clinical counselor, psychologist, Registered Nurse, Licensed Vocational Nurse, Psychiatric Technician, or Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist (MHRS).
For the MHRS pathway: have a baccalaureate degree and four years of experience in a mental health setting as specified in California regulation. Up to two years of graduate professional education may substitute for experience year-for-year; up to two years of post-associate arts clinical experience may substitute for the required educational experience, in addition to the four-year mental health setting experience requirement.
Successfully complete State-mandated Medi-Cal Mobile Crisis training, TMHA field orientation and competency requirements, and at least 10 hours of annual position-relevant training required by DHCS, San Luis Obispo County Behavioral Health, and TMHA.
For Crisis Specialists assigned to conduct WIC 5150/5585 evaluations, complete the required training and obtain and maintain appropriate County designation.
Have experience providing behavioral health crisis intervention, assessment, de-escalation, or other high-acuity behavioral health services.
Be available to work assigned shifts in a 24/7 program, potentially including days, evenings, awake overnights, weekends, and holidays, as well as field response, required meetings and training, and other in-person activities based on program needs and supervisor direction.
Be proficient with computers and able to learn and effectively use electronic health records, Mobile Crisis documentation tools, mobile devices, email, and other field-operation technology; accurately document time-sensitive information, prioritize urgent needs, and complete documentation within established timelines.
Demonstrate ability to facilitate communication, care coordination, and effective handoffs with Crisis Dispatch, team members, supervisors, system partners, and service providers.
Have strong interpersonal skills, a collaborative work style, and strong oral, written, and communication skills.
Have well-defined organizational and time-management skills.
Be able to work independently and flexibly.
Be able to handle intense situations, exercise sound judgment and decision-making, and remain calm and clearheaded under pressure.
Work effectively with people of different ages, backgrounds, personality types, and socioeconomic levels, regardless of ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression.
Be able to possess and maintain good physical and mental health.
Work well within a team and maintain a professional, respectful workplace attitude.
Be willing to work with supervisor oversight and direction, recognize when consultation or additional support is needed, seek consultation appropriately, and respond constructively to feedback.
Meet the attendance requirements of a job requiring face-to-face interaction with clients and/or other employees.
Promote equality and respect for diversity, including race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, and national origin.
Demonstrate the ability to deliver culturally responsive services and knowledge of dimensions of diversity, including mental health, gender, race, and ethnicity.
Demonstrate commitment to each person’s dignity, self-determination, safety, recovery, meaningful community participation, and access to competent and continuous supports and services.
Use reasonable precautions and adhere to applicable safety rules and practices to maximize safety for oneself, coworkers, clients, and others contacted through TMHA business.
Be at least 18 years old; have a valid California driver’s license, at least two years of driving experience, and a DMV driving record meeting TMHA’s current vehicle insurance requirements. May be required to use a reliable personal vehicle and auto insurance.
Comply with a TB assessment, including a TB test if needed to confirm a negative result, and obtain criminal record clearance through fingerprinting.
Successfully complete First Aid and CPR training.

Nice To Haves

Spanish bilingual skills.
Prior training or experience in suicide prevention and intervention.

Responsibilities

Provide timely, compassionate, trauma-informed, person-centered crisis intervention to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises in community settings.
Conduct comprehensive behavioral health crisis assessments, including assessment of risk, safety, mental health symptoms, substance use, supports, and immediate needs; when appropriately trained and designated, evaluate criteria for involuntary detention under applicable WIC sections 5150 and 5585.
Provide short-term stabilization using evidence-informed de-escalation, collaborative safety planning, problem solving, engagement, and person-centered crisis intervention.
Identify and support the least restrictive appropriate disposition based on the individual’s needs, preferences, safety, available supports, and clinical presentation.
Coordinate with Crisis Dispatch and other system partners when a higher level of care is indicated, including communication supporting psychiatric evaluation, placement, hospital coordination, transportation, or another appropriate disposition.
Facilitate referrals and connections to behavioral health and substance use treatment, medical care, housing, social services, peer and recovery supports, and other community resources.
Provide required post-crisis follow-up by telephone or in person, as assigned and in accordance with program, County, and Medi-Cal Mobile Crisis requirements.
Provide information and support regarding substance use, harm reduction, treatment options, recovery supports, and community-based resources.
Maintain accurate, timely, compliant documentation in the electronic health record and designated systems, including required screening, assessment, disposition, safety-planning, follow-up, and data documentation.
Communicate professionally with Crisis Dispatch, hospitals, emergency responders, law enforcement, EMS, behavioral health providers, community agencies, families or support persons when appropriate, and other system partners.
Participate in communication and handoff processes with Crisis Dispatch regarding response status, disposition, pending needs, safety concerns, and information needed for continuity of operations.
Maintain awareness of personal, partner, team, and environmental safety during community responses and follow established field-safety, consultation, and emergency-response procedures.
Maintain required training, competencies, certifications, and County designation applicable to assigned responsibilities.
Promote trauma-informed, person-centered, culturally responsive, recovery-oriented, and harm-reduction practices, including TMHA’s Guidelines for Collaborative Communication.
Attend required staff meetings, case consultations, debriefings, training, and other program meetings.
Assume other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Mobile Crisis Team Lead.